JP2008307234A - Breast image forming apparatus and forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To acquire highly accurate radiation information and ultrasonic information of the breast and to perform high quality image diagnosing on the basis of the information. <P>SOLUTION: After putting a cup instrument 36 on the breast 34, a sucking machine 46 is operated to expand the breast 34 and suck it to the inner peripheral surface of the cup instrument 36. Then, by moving and scanning an ultrasonic transducer 48 along the outer peripheral surface of the cup instrument 36, the ultrasonic information is acquired. In the meantime, by outputting X-rays from an X-ray source 64 and detecting the X-rays transmitted through the breast 34 by a radiation detector 70, CT image information is acquired. The ultrasonic information and the CT image information are supplied for diagnosing by combining them and then displaying synthetic images at a display part 94. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a breast image forming apparatus and a forming method for acquiring breast ultrasound information and radiation information to form a breast image.

  Conventionally, a mammography apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a mammography apparatus) has been developed for the purpose of early detection of a lesion site of a breast. This mammography apparatus includes, for example, an imaging table holding an X-ray film on which a breast of a subject is placed, and a compression plate that compresses the breast against the imaging table, and irradiates X-rays from the compression plate side. A radiographic image is taken by irradiating the X-ray film with X-rays transmitted through the breast.

  Here, compressing the breast with a compression plate is necessary to make the breast thickness as thin and uniform as possible in order to obtain a good image quality, and to expand the mammary gland structure to suppress the overlap, thereby making a diagnosis. Based on the desire to be easy.

  By the way, in the breast examination, it is necessary to acquire a radiographic image including the vicinity of the chest wall of the subject. For this reason, the imaging table and the compression plate are pressed against the chest wall of the subject, and there is a concern that the subject may be painful.

  In view of this, a mammography apparatus has been proposed that can reduce the pain of the subject and can capture a good radiation image of the breast.

  FIG. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the mammography apparatus 2 disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the mammography apparatus 2, an opening 5 into which a breast 4 of a subject 3 in a prone state is inserted is formed in a bed 6, and a lower part of the opening 5 is an imaging table 8 on which an X-ray film 7 is mounted. A compression plate 9 that compresses the breast 4 inserted from the opening 5 against the imaging table 8 and an X-ray source 10 that irradiates the X-ray film 7 through the breast 4 with X-rays are disposed. The lower space of the bed 6 including the imaging table 8, the compression plate 9 and the X-ray source 10 is surrounded by the housing 11, and the suction means 12 is connected to the housing 11.

  In the mammography apparatus 2 configured as described above, after the breast 4 is inserted into the opening 5, the suction means 12 is operated to make the inside of the housing 11 have a negative pressure, thereby sucking the breast 4 and taking the imaging table 8. And it is made to enter between the compression plates 9. In this case, the breast 4 is pulled downward by its own weight and the negative pressure generated by the suction means 12, so that the portion near the chest wall of the breast 4 is placed between the imaging table 8 and the compression plate 9 without strongly pressing the chest wall. It can arrange suitably. In this state, by irradiating the breast 4 with X-rays from the X-ray source 10 through the compression plate 9, a radiographic image by transmitted radiation is recorded on the X-ray film 7.

  Further, as another type of apparatus for performing breast examination, a CT apparatus 14 that acquires tomographic image information configured as shown in FIG. 7 has been proposed (see Patent Document 2).

  The CT apparatus 14 has a sleeve 16 made of an X-ray shielding member fixed to the end of an arm 15, and an X-ray source 17 and an X-ray detector 18 are centered on the breast 4 at the inner periphery of the sleeve 16. And a breast holder 19 for adsorbing and positioning the distal end portion of the breast 4.

  In the CT apparatus 14 configured as described above, the X-ray source 17 and the X-ray detector 18 are rotated while the X-ray source 17 and the X-ray detector 18 are rotated while the X-ray source 17 and the X-ray detector 18 are rotated. The tomographic image information of the breast 4 can be acquired by detecting and processing the radiation with the X-ray detector 18. In this case, since the breast 4 is sucked by the breast holder 19 in a direction away from the chest wall, it is possible to suitably obtain a tomographic image including the vicinity of the chest wall.

  By the way, both the mammography apparatus 2 and the CT apparatus 14 are configured to detect a lesion site based on X-rays transmitted through the breast 4. In this case, X-rays are suitable for detecting a calcified lesion site, but there is a possibility that the tumor cannot be detected well. In particular, in the case of the subject 3 having a high density of the mammary gland, the contrast between the mammary gland and the tumor is small, and it may be difficult to identify the tumor.

  Therefore, an imaging apparatus 20 configured as shown in FIG. 8 has been proposed as an apparatus that combines an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus suitable for detecting a mass and a mammography apparatus suitable for detecting a calcified lesion. (See Patent Document 3).

  The imaging device 20 is fixed to a column 21 and includes an imaging table 22 that includes a radiation detector (not shown), a compression plate 23 that is disposed above the imaging table 22 and presses the breast 4 against the imaging table 22; An X-ray source 24 disposed on the compression plate 23 and irradiating the breast 4 with X-rays via the compression plate 23, and disposed on the compression plate 23 and in the directions of arrows X and Y via the guide bar 25 And an ultrasonic transducer 26 configured to be movable.

  In the imaging apparatus 20 configured as described above, radiation information is acquired by irradiating the breast 4 with X-rays from the X-ray source 24 in a state where the breast 4 is sandwiched between the imaging table 22 and the compression plate 23. The ultrasonic information can be acquired by transmitting the ultrasonic wave to the breast 4 while moving the ultrasonic transducer 26 in the directions of the arrows X and Y along the compression plate 23 and receiving the reflected ultrasonic wave.

JP-A-7-303633 Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-50159 Japanese Patent No. 3461509

  By the way, in the mammography apparatus 2 of FIG. 6, although it is possible to reduce the pain with respect to the subject 3, since air must be sucked from a wide space including the imaging table 8, the compression plate 9, and the X-ray source 10. The suction means 12 is not only required to have a high suction capability, but also has a problem that the apparatus configuration becomes large and the cost increases. In addition, since the shape of the breast 4 sandwiched between the imaging table 8 and the compression plate 9 is not constant for each imaging, for example, when imaging is performed at a predetermined interval to grasp a temporal change of a lesion site The radiation images may not be easily compared.

  7 only sucks the tip of the breast 4 by the breast holder 19, so that the mammary gland in the vicinity of the nipple becomes dense and the shape of the breast 4 is constant between each imaging. do not become.

  On the other hand, in the imaging apparatus 20 of FIG. 8, when the breast 4 is sandwiched between the imaging table 22 and the compression plate 23, not only the subject 3 may be painful but also accurate ultrasound information is acquired. I can't.

  That is, the compression plate 23 is intended to make the thickness uniform by compressing the breast 4, and is not intended to bring the compression plate 23 into close contact with the breast 4. Therefore, it is considered that an air layer is interposed between the compression plate 23 and the breast 4. In this case, since ultrasonic waves are almost totally reflected by the interface with the air layer, ultrasonic information is lost.

  Ultrasonic imaging is usually performed by applying a jelly (acoustic binder) to a subject so as not to interpose an air layer. For example, when jelly is applied to the breast 4, uneven application of jelly is caused by radiation. It will adversely affect information. Therefore, when acquiring radiation information, it is necessary to wipe off the jelly from the breast 4. At that time, since the position of the breast 4 changes, the positional relationship between the acquired ultrasonic information and radiation information does not match.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a breast image forming apparatus and a forming method capable of acquiring high-accuracy radiation information and ultrasound information of a breast and enabling high-quality image diagnosis based on such information. There is.

The breast image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a cup device having a substantially hemispherical shape attached to the breast,
A suction means connected to the cup device and sucking and holding the breast on the inner peripheral surface of the cup device by sucking air in the cup device;
It is configured to be movable along the outer peripheral surface of the cup device, and transmits ultrasonic waves to the breast sucked and held on the inner peripheral surface of the cup device, receives the reflected ultrasonic waves, and receives ultrasonic waves from the breasts. An ultrasonic transducer to obtain information;
A radiation source for irradiating the breast held by suction on the inner peripheral surface of the cup device with radiation through the cup device;
A radiation detector that detects the radiation transmitted through the breast to obtain radiation information of the breast;
A breast image is formed using the acquired ultrasound information and the radiation information.

In the breast image forming method of the present invention, a cup device having a substantially hemispherical shape is attached to the breast, and the air in the cup device is sucked to hold the breast on the inner peripheral surface of the cup device. Steps,
Transmitting ultrasound through the cup instrument to the breast adsorbed and held on the inner peripheral surface of the cup instrument, receiving the reflected ultrasound and obtaining ultrasound information of the breast;
Irradiating the breast sucked and held on the inner peripheral surface of the cup device through the cup device, detecting the radiation transmitted through the breast, and acquiring radiation information of the breast;
And forming a breast image using the acquired ultrasonic information and radiation information.

  In the breast image forming apparatus and the forming method of the present invention, highly accurate radiation information and ultrasound information are acquired from a breast set in a stable shape by closely holding the breast on the inner peripheral surface of the cup device. Can do. In particular, when ultrasonic information is acquired, the breast is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cup device, so that no air layer is mixed in, thereby obtaining good ultrasonic information. By forming a breast image using these pieces of information, high-quality image diagnosis can be performed based on an image obtained from radiation information and an image obtained from ultrasonic information. Furthermore, since the breast shapes when acquiring radiation information and ultrasound information are substantially the same, it is easy and accurate to compare radiation information and ultrasound information and to grasp changes in the lesion site over time. Can do.

  FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of a breast image forming apparatus 30 of the present embodiment. The breast imaging apparatus 30 is a CT imaging head that constitutes a CT apparatus that acquires tomographic image information as radiation information of the breast 34 by integrating the cup instrument 36 attached to the breast 34 of the subject 32 and the cup instrument 36. 38, an arm 42 for connecting and supporting the CT imaging head 38 to the base 40, and a suction device 46 (suction means) for sucking air in the cup device 36, connected to the cup device 36 via a tube 44. And an ultrasonic transducer 48 that acquires ultrasonic information of the breast 34 by moving along the outer peripheral surface of the cup device 36, and a controller 50 that controls the suction device 46, the CT imaging head 38, and the ultrasonic transducer 48. With.

  2 and 3, the cup device 36 has a substantially hemispherical shape on which the breast 34 is adsorbed and held, and the end of the tube 44 connected to the suction device 46 is formed on the top of the inner peripheral surface 52. An opening 54 that opens is formed. The cup device 36 is made of a translucent material such as polymethylpentene (PMP) that transmits X-rays, visible light, and ultrasonic waves. The reason for transmitting visible light is to make it possible to confirm the state of the breast 34 sucked and held by the cup device 36 from the outside. The reason for making it translucent is to facilitate position detection of the ultrasonic transducer 48 with respect to the cup device 36 by a position detection sensor described later.

  The cup device 36 is connected to a frame 58 constituting the CT imaging head 38 via a connecting member 56 through which the tube 44 is inserted. The frame 58 is connected to the end of the arm 42 via the head rotation motor 60 in a state where it can pivot. The cup device 36 is configured not to pivot with respect to the arm 42.

  An X-ray source 64 (radiation source) is connected to the frame 58 via an arm 62. The X-ray source 64 is disposed at a site close to the outer peripheral surface 66 of the cup device 36 on the chest wall side of the subject 32, and moves along the outer peripheral surface 66 of the cup device 36 as the frame 58 rotates. A radiation detector 70 is connected to the frame 58 via a bracket 68. The radiation detector 70 is disposed to face the X-ray source 64 through the cup device 36 and moves along the outer peripheral surface 66 of the cup device 36.

  The ultrasonic transducer 48 transmits ultrasonic waves from the outer peripheral surface 66 of the cup device 36 to the breast 34, receives the reflected ultrasonic waves, and acquires ultrasonic information. The ultrasonic transducer 48 includes a cup. A position detection sensor 72 (see FIG. 4) for acquiring position information of the ultrasonic transducer 48 with respect to the instrument 36 is integrally provided. The ultrasonic transducer 48 is connected to the control device 50 via the flexible cable 74.

  As the position detection sensor 72, for example, the outer peripheral surface 66 of the cup device 36 is irradiated with light to read image information on the outer peripheral surface 66, and the moving direction and moving distance are determined from the change in the image information caused by the movement of the ultrasonic transducer 48. It is possible to use a sensor using the principle of so-called “optical mouse”, which calculates position information to obtain position information.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration block of the control device 50. The control device 50 includes an X-ray source control unit 76 that controls the X-ray source 64, a suction control unit 78 that controls the suction machine 46, a motor control unit 80 that controls the head rotation motor 60 to turn the CT imaging head 38, A transducer control unit 82 for controlling the ultrasonic transducer 48, an image processing unit 84 for processing the radiation information detected by the radiation detector 70 to generate a CT image, a CT image storage unit 86 for storing the CT image, an ultrasonic transducer An image processing unit 88 that generates ultrasonic images by processing the ultrasonic information detected by 48, an ultrasonic image storage unit 90 that stores ultrasonic images, and an image combining unit 92 that combines radiation images and ultrasonic images. (Image forming unit) and a display unit 94 for displaying the synthesized image.

  The breast image forming apparatus 30 of the present embodiment is basically configured as described above. Next, an image forming method using the breast image forming apparatus 30 will be described.

  First, after the breast 34 of the subject 32 is inserted into the cup device 36, the suction controller 46 is driven by the suction controller 78, and the air on the inner peripheral surface 52 side of the cup device 36 is sucked through the tube 44. As a result, the inner peripheral surface 52 side becomes negative pressure, and the inserted breast 34 is sucked so as to expand, and then closely contacts the inner peripheral surface 52 (see FIG. 1).

  After the breast 34 is sucked and held on the inner peripheral surface 52 of the cup device 36, as shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic transducer 48 is inserted between the arm 62 and the bracket 68 constituting the CT imaging head 38, and the cup Ultrasonic information of the breast 34 is acquired by moving and scanning the ultrasonic transducer 48 along the outer peripheral surface 66 of the instrument 36.

  That is, the ultrasonic transducer 48 is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface 66 of the cup device 36, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the breast 34 through the cup device 36. The ultrasonic waves reflected by the tissue in the breast 34 are received by the ultrasonic transducer 48, and then transmitted as ultrasonic information from the transducer control unit 82 to the image processing unit 88, where the image processing unit 88 performs image processing. Thus, an ultrasonic image is generated.

  A position detection sensor 72 is integrally provided in the ultrasonic transducer 48, and position information for the ultrasonic information detected by the ultrasonic transducer 48 is transmitted to the image processing unit 88. Therefore, the image processing unit 88 can generate an ultrasonic image as three-dimensional information by processing the ultrasonic information in association with the position information of the ultrasonic transducer 48. If the outer peripheral surface 66 of the cup device 36 is moved and scanned with the ultrasonic transducer 48 attached to the robot arm, the position information acquired from the movement position of the robot arm without using the position detection sensor 72. Ultrasound information can be acquired in relation to

  In this case, since the breast 34 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface 52 of the cup device 36, accurate ultrasonic information is acquired without forming an air layer between the breast 34 and the inner peripheral surface 52. be able to. Further, since the breast 34 expands toward the inner peripheral surface 52 of the cup device 36, ultrasonic information can be acquired without any trouble even on the nipple side where the density of the mammary gland is high. In addition, since the breast 34 is positioned and fixed by the cup device 36, the breast 34 does not move during the scanning movement of the ultrasonic transducer 48. Therefore, high-accuracy ultrasonic information without blurring can be acquired. Can do. Furthermore, since the shape of the breast 34 is kept constant by the cup device 36, for example, for the purpose of diagnosing a temporal change of a lesion site, ultrasonic information is acquired from the same subject at predetermined intervals and compared. In this case, a comparative diagnosis can be easily performed based on ultrasonic information acquired from the breast 34 having substantially the same shape.

  In addition, when the ultrasonic transducer 48 is moved and scanned along the outer peripheral surface 66 of the cup device 36, more excellent ultrasonic information can be acquired by applying a jelly (acoustic binder) to the outer peripheral surface 66. In this case, after acquiring the ultrasound information, the jelly can be easily wiped off the outer peripheral surface 66 of the cup device 36 without changing the shape of the breast 34. Furthermore, if water is interposed between the breast 34 and the inner peripheral surface 52 of the cup device 36, more excellent ultrasonic information can be acquired.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 5, if the cup device 96 that sucks and holds the breast 34 is shaped to be flatter than the cup device 36, the outer peripheral surface 98 is close to a flat shape, and therefore the movement of the ultrasonic transducer 48 is performed. Scanning can be performed easily.

  The ultrasonic image generated as described above is stored in the ultrasonic image storage unit 90.

  Next, the CT imaging head 38 is turned with the cup device 36 attached to the breast 34, and CT image information of the breast 34 is acquired. Note that the ultrasonic transducer 48 is separated from the CT imaging head 38.

  The motor control unit 80 drives the head rotation motor 60 to rotate the frame 58. At this time, the X-ray source 64 and the radiation detector 70 connected to the frame 58 rotate along the outer peripheral surface 66 of the cup device 36. X-rays output from the X-ray source 64 are irradiated to the breast 34 via the cup device 36, and X-rays transmitted through the breast 34 are detected by the radiation detector 70. The radiation information related to the transmitted X-rays detected by the radiation detector 70 is transmitted to the image processing unit 84 and processed, thereby generating a CT image of the breast 34. This CT image is stored in the CT image storage unit 86.

  In this case, since the breast 34 is positioned and fixed by the cup device 36 as in the case of acquiring ultrasound information, highly accurate radiation information without blurring can be acquired. In addition, since the shape of the breast 34 is held constant by the cup device 36, for example, for the purpose of diagnosing a change with time of a lesion site, radiation information is acquired from the same subject at predetermined intervals and compared. The comparative diagnosis can be easily performed based on the radiation information acquired from the breast 34 having substantially the same shape.

  After generating the ultrasound image and the CT image as described above, the image composition unit 92 combines the ultrasound image stored in the ultrasound image storage unit 90 and the CT image stored in the CT image storage unit 86. The combined image is displayed on the display unit 94. A doctor or the like diagnoses a lesion site of the breast 34 using the displayed composite image.

  In this case, the presence or absence of a tumor or the like can be diagnosed based on the ultrasonic image, and the presence or absence of a calcified portion can be diagnosed based on the CT image. In addition, since the shape of the breast 34 is held in the same shape by the cup device 36 when acquiring the ultrasound image and when acquiring the CT image, the ultrasound image and the CT image on the combined image are displayed. The positional relationship can be matched with high accuracy, thereby enabling a higher quality diagnosis.

  In the above description, CT image information is acquired after acquiring ultrasound information, but it is needless to say that either information may be acquired first. In addition, the breast image forming apparatus 30 acquires CT image information of the breast 34. For example, the breast image forming apparatus 30 normally obtains CT image information from the X-ray transmitted through the breast 34 without turning the X-ray source 64 and the radiation detector 70. Radiation information may be acquired and combined with ultrasound information for display. As the radiation detector 70 that detects X-rays, a detector that converts X-rays directly into electrical signals and detects them, a detector that converts X-rays into electrical signals via optical signals, or X-rays Thus, a stimulable phosphor panel that outputs stimulated emission light in accordance with radiation information by irradiating excitation energy with the phosphor energy can be used.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a breast image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a structure perspective view of CT imaging | photography head which comprises the breast image formation apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing at the time of acquiring ultrasonic information using CT imaging head which comprises the breast image formation apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of a control device in the breast image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram of other embodiment of a cup apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the mammography apparatus concerning a prior art. It is explanatory drawing of CT apparatus based on a prior art. It is explanatory drawing of the imaging device which concerns on a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Breast image forming apparatus 32 ... Subject 34 ... Breast 36, 96 ... Cup apparatus 38 ... CT imaging head 46 ... Aspirator 48 ... Ultrasonic transducer 50 ... Control device 60 ... Head rotation motor 64 ... X-ray source 70 ... Radiation Detector 72 ... Position detection sensors 84, 88 ... Image processing unit 86 ... CT image storage unit 90 ... Ultrasonic image storage unit 92 ... Image composition unit 94 ... Display unit

Claims (8)

A cup device having a substantially hemispherical shape to be attached to the breast;
A suction means connected to the cup device and sucking and holding the breast on the inner peripheral surface of the cup device by sucking air in the cup device;
It is configured to be movable along the outer peripheral surface of the cup device, and transmits ultrasonic waves to the breast sucked and held on the inner peripheral surface of the cup device, receives the reflected ultrasonic waves, and receives ultrasonic waves from the breasts. An ultrasonic transducer to obtain information;
A radiation source for irradiating the breast held by suction on the inner peripheral surface of the cup device with radiation through the cup device;
A radiation detector that detects the radiation transmitted through the breast to obtain radiation information of the breast;
And forming a breast image using the acquired ultrasonic information and radiation information. The apparatus of claim 1.
The breast image forming apparatus, wherein the radiation source and the radiation detector can be swung along an outer peripheral portion of the cup device, and constitute a CT apparatus that acquires tomographic image information of the breast. The apparatus of claim 1.
A position detection sensor for acquiring position information of the ultrasonic transducer with respect to the cup device;
An image forming unit that combines the ultrasonic information and the radiation information using the position information;
A breast image forming apparatus comprising: The apparatus of claim 3.
A breast image forming apparatus comprising: an image display unit that displays the breast image formed by the image forming unit. Attaching a cup device having a substantially hemispherical shape to the breast, and sucking air in the cup device to adsorb and hold the breast on the inner peripheral surface of the cup device;
Transmitting ultrasound through the cup instrument to the breast adsorbed and held on the inner peripheral surface of the cup instrument, receiving the reflected ultrasound and obtaining ultrasound information of the breast;
Irradiating the breast sucked and held on the inner peripheral surface of the cup device through the cup device, detecting the radiation transmitted through the breast, and acquiring radiation information of the breast;
And forming a breast image using the acquired ultrasonic information and radiation information. The method of claim 5, wherein
A breast image forming method, wherein the ultrasonic information is acquired by moving an ultrasonic transducer along an outer peripheral surface of the cup device. The method of claim 5, wherein
A breast image forming method, wherein the tomographic image information of the breast, which is the radiation information, is obtained by turning a radiation source and a radiation detector along an outer periphery of the cup device. The method of claim 5, wherein
A breast image forming method comprising forming a breast image by combining the ultrasonic information and the radiation information.

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